Australian Masters Games

Getting to Tasmania's North West

The Games are held in Tasmania's North West, across ten local Council areas, including Burnie City, Central Coast, Circular Head, City of Launceston, Devonport City, Kentish, King Island, Latrobe, Waratah/Wynyard and West Coast.

For more information on the local area and to get help with finding and booking accommodation call the Australian Masters Games Tourism and Information Hotline - 1800 649 514.

How to get to Tasmania's North West

If you are coming from interstate you can fly QantasLink into Devonport or Regional Express into Burnie airports direct from Melbourne Airport. Both flights are just over an hour. Alternatively you can board the Spirit of Tasmania in Port Melbourne and arrive in Devonport nine hours later. Hire cars are readily available in Devonport and Burnie.

You can also fly into Tasmania through Launceston Airport and Hobart Airport with carriers Jetstar, QANTAS, and Virgin Airlines.

Launceston is a popular arrival spot for those visiting the North West, just a short 1-hour drive from Devonport which takes you through rich and fertile hinterlands, coastal cities, and the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail.

Quarantine

Tasmania has some of the world’s strictest quarantine regulations. There are restrictions on bringing fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants, flowers, fish, birds, animals plus other items into Tasmania. On the other hand there are quite a lot of items you can take with you when you leave, such as meats, seafood, flowers and fruit but it depends on which state you are travelling to. Check the Department of Primary Industries and Water website for a list of items you can bring in and take out.

The emergency telephone number in Tasmania is 000. In case of emergency, do not call any other number, dial 000 immediately and you will be connected to the emergency service you require.

Bush Walking & Hiking

The best way to experience the beauty and diversity of Tasmania is with your own two feet. Tasmania has over 2,800 km of managed walking tracks and over 880 separate walks in national parks, reserves and conservation areas - most within easy reach of our city centres. Check out some of Tasmania's most loved short walks - HERE.

Visitors planning a day walk, or overnight hike, are strongly advised to let a reliable person know of your planned walk or hike and your estimated time and date of return, and to ring that person immediately on your return. Visitors are also advised to register their walk or hike in a registration book if available. Please note: these books are not checked unless a person is reported missing.

All walkers are advised to carry plenty of water, food, SPF 30+ sunscreen and first aid supplies. Suitable warm clothing should be carried at all times as weather conditions can change suddenly and dramatically. All walkers at Cradle Mountain must be prepared for changeable weather, including rain, wind, snow and heat at any time of year.

Driving

Looking at a map of Tasmania, distances can appear short in comparison to other Australian states. In many instances travel between towns can be very direct but in many parts of the Island roads are winding, hilly and sometimes mountainous, so please allow extra time. There are excellent sealed highways, marked as ‘A’ roads. ’B’ roads are also sealed, as are some of the smaller ’C’ roads. Occasionally you may travel on an unsealed (gravel) ’C’ road to reach a particular destination, in which case you are advised to reduce your speed.

In winter and the cooler months some roads are subject to frost, ice and snow. Exercise particular caution if you observe road signs warning of ‘Black Ice’ any time in winter.

Slow down and be alert for wildlife when driving in Tasmania. Unfortunately native animals do not have any road sense. If you are driving in the early morning, at dusk or during the night you may consider driving at less than the recommended speed limit.

It is illegal to use a mobile phone when driving in Tasmania and legal limits on alcohol consumption apply when driving. Seatbelts are compulsory by law.

It is recommended that participants provide their own transport whether that be bring their own car on the Spirit of Tasmania, or hiring a car while in Tasmania.

The Australian Masters Games have partnered with Budget and Avis for discounted offers:

Avis - 5th Day Free*
Reserve a select car group from Avis Tasmania for five consecutive days or more and receive your 5th day free of time and kilometre charges.
*Conditions apply

Mobile Phone Coverage

Outside of main towns regional mobile phone reception in Tasmania’s North West is unfortunately poor or non-existent in some areas. If you are planning to stay in contact with family, friends or work using your mobile we suggest you ask your accommodation in advance what mobile reception is like in that area.

Weather

Tasmania’s North West enjoys four distinct seasons.

Spring (Sept – Nov) is a terrific season to see the native flora and fauna in flower. Expect some cold weather and spring rain so pack a raincoat and umbrella.

Summer (Dec – Feb) is definitely the time of year for outdoor activities so pack SPF 30+ sunscreen and a hat for the day and warmer clothes for those cool to mild summer nights.

Autumn (March – May) is slightly cooler but you can still expect plenty of sunshine so keep the sunscreen and hat handy.

Winter (June – Aug) is still a great season to travel around the North West of Tasmania as it has a much more temperate climate than the South. Overnight frosts can be followed by crisp blue skies and sunshine.